Teenage striker Bojan Krkic started in place of Thierry Henry and nearly scored his second goal with the Catalan club after the start, Lopez coming out to deny after Lionel Messi sent him in alone.

Hitting the post

Krkic also hit the post in the 58th, two minutes after flashing a shot wide acoss goal.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes kept Barcelona even by thwarting Sesma three times, including a header in the 63rd and shot in the 83rd.

Regardless, Valladolid remained winless since the season opener, having let a lead slip away for the sixth time this season.

Valladolid, which fell to 19th place in the 20-team first division with seven points, drew 1-1 with Madrid at the Municipal Jose Zorrilla stadium in September despite leading with three minutes remaining.

At the Olimpico Lluis Companys stadium, Murcia controlled the play but Espanyol had the better chances.

Raul Tamudo redirected just wide from point-blank in the 20th and Albert Riera hit the crossbar with a long-range effort in the 48th.

Tamudo cleared off the line in the 55th for mid-table Murcia's best chance.